NMDA Journal Fall 2018

25 nmdental.org Among other things, the 2016 report includes: • National average fees broken down for both general practitioners and each of the six specialties. • National level statistics for fees for over 200 commonly performed dental procedures. • Average fees charged by general practitioners broken down into nine regional areas, using U.S. Census divisions. • Standard deviation and percentiles for each fee. • Dental procedures identified by procedure code and nomenclature from the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature as published in the ADA’s CDT 2016. • Methodology, glossary and survey instrument information. Also available is a companion report from a 2013 survey and an interactive map that illustrates the percentage changes in dentist fees over a five-year period across various regions. Another popular resource is a list of dental abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols for charting. In an effort to encourage clarity and uniformity, the ADA has compiled a list of commonly used abbreviations and symbols. The ADA advises that dentists create customized lists of such shortcuts for use in their own dental practice: • Such a list should be made part of office policy so that all team members use uniform terminology. • Keep in mind that everyone may not understand unique abbreviations, symbols, or acronyms, which may cause a variety of problems in both clinical and legal settings. • Consider including a copy of the list of abbreviations used in your office along with any distributed copies of dental records. • If there is any doubt about the understanding of an abbreviation, symbol or acronym, it should not be used. • Consult with your legal counsel, professional liability insurers or risk management representatives for specific advice. 2. REGULATORY/LEGAL Running a dental practice requires careful implementation of systems and procedures. The Regulatory/Legal section covers advice on a number of office systems, such as how to handle dental records, emergency planning, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) considerations, and the various ways federal laws and regulatory practices impact a practice. Medicare is another regulatory area that dentists often need to understand. The enrollment rule for Medicare Part D and Part C recently changed. The new rule rescinds a proposal that would have required dentists who provide dental care and prescriptions for Medicare Advantage patients and Part D beneficiaries to be enrolled in Medicare, or to have opted out in order for their services to be covered. If you are unsure about enrolling or opting out of Medicare, the Center’s Medicare Decision Tree flowchart can help you decide. If you’d like to know more about the ins and outs of accepting Medicare, The Facts and FAQ on Medicare article offers dozens of answers to many of the most common questions. One of the key areas of regulatory concern for many across the healthcare field is HIPAA, the federal law that governs how “covered entities” handle the privacy and security of patients' protected health information. HIPAA provides the ability to transfer and continue health insurance coverage when patients change or lose their jobs, and mandates industry-wide standards for health care information in electronic billing and other processes. Failure to comply with HIPAA can result in legal action against businesses and individuals. The Center for Professional Success currently offers the following HIPAA resources: • Frequently Asked HIPAA Questions • ADA Q&A: HIPAA (video) • HIPAA: A Nine Step Checklist • HIPAA Fact Sheet (infographic) • HIPAA Rule on Restricted Disclosures • HIPAA Business Associates: Am I One? • Business Associate FAQ The Regulatory/Legal section of the Center also includes answers on identity theft, an EPA-based amalgam separator regulation, and Section 1557—an Affordable Care Act provision designed to protect individuals from discrimination in health care on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including discrimination based on pregnancy, gender identity, and sex stereotyping. 3. EDUCATION The Center also offers an executive-level certificate program in practice management. Additional continuing education opportunities exist in the Leadership Institute series. The ADA Executive Program in Dental Practice Management is a web-based certificate program that addresses the practice management challenges today’s dentists must master, such as reducing costs, enhancing marketing strategies, and practicing amid increased regulation. Dental practice management experts and business lectures from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business are combined to provide a continued on next page 